还是;或者 | Or... | Learn Chinese Conversation for Intermediate | HSK3

Added: 2026-05-23

[00:00:03]Hello everyone and welcome back to Self-Study Mandarin.

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[00:00:26]All right, let's get started.

[00:00:29]Today we are looking at the art of choosing in HSK level 3.

[00:00:33]We are going to tackle a very common question.

[00:00:36]What is the core difference between 还是 (háishì) and 或者 (huòzhě)?

[00:00:41]In English, we just use the word or.

[00:00:44]Tea or coffee, I'll go today or tomorrow, it's so simple.

[00:00:48]But in Mandarin, we have two different words for or.

[00:00:52]Why do we need two?

[00:00:53]Today I'm going to show you exactly how and when to use each one so you never make a mistake with them again.

[00:01:00]Let's look at a quick comparison.

[00:01:02]If you only remember one thing from this lesson, let it be this golden rule right here on the screen.

[00:01:09]Look at the blue box on the left, 还是 (háishì).

[00:01:12]What is its sentence type?

[00:01:14]It is used for questions.

[00:01:16]Its function is to force a choice, you're asking someone to pick a specific answer.

[00:01:21]For example, A 还是 B? (A háishì B?). A or B?

[00:01:25]Now look at the yellow box on the right.

[00:01:28]或者 (huòzhě). This is used in statements.

[00:01:31]Its function is simply listing options, you are saying either one is fine.

[00:01:35]For example, A 或者 B 都可以 (A huòzhě B dōu kěyǐ).

[00:01:39]A or B are both fine.

[00:01:42]So remember, 还是 (háishì) for questions with a question mark, 或者 (huòzhě) for statements with a full stop.

[00:01:49]Let's dive a little deeper into 还是 (háishì).

[00:01:53]Look at the formula on the screen.

[00:01:55]You have option A, then you insert 还是 (háishì), followed by option B, and usually you end with a question mark.

[00:02:02]You use this when you want someone to pick one specific option.

[00:02:06]You are acting like a detective with that magnifying glass.

[00:02:09]You need an answer.

[00:02:11]Which one is it going to be?

[00:02:14]Let's see this forcing choice in action.

[00:02:17]Speaker one asks, 你想喝茶还是咖啡? (Nǐ xiǎng hē chá háishì kāfēi?).

[00:02:21]Do you want to drink tea or coffee?

[00:02:24]Now look at the response from speaker two.

[00:02:26]我想喝茶 (Wǒ xiǎng hē chá).

[00:02:28]I want to drink tea.

[00:02:30]Notice the response.

[00:02:31]Because speaker one used 还是 (háishì), they require a specific selection.

[00:02:36]The listener cannot just say yes or no, they must pick one of the options provided: tea or coffee.

[00:02:43]Now, as with all language rules, there is a special exception.

[00:02:47]Sometimes you'll see 还是 (háishì) used in a sentence that ends with a period, not a question mark.

[00:02:53]Why?

[00:02:54]Because it contains a hidden indirect question.

[00:02:57]Look at this sentence: 他喜欢红色还是蓝色，我们不知道 (Tā xǐhuān hóngsè háishì lánsè, wǒmen bù zhīdào).

[00:03:03]We don't know if he likes red or blue.

[00:03:06]Why do we use 还是 (háishì) here?

[00:03:08]Because red or blue is an embedded question inside the statement.

[00:03:13]The choice remains unresolved.

[00:03:14]We still don't know the answer.

[00:03:16]The intent of the sentence is still about a selection between two mutually exclusive options.

[00:03:23]All right, let's shift gears and look at 或者 (huòzhě).

[00:03:27]The structure is similar.

[00:03:28]Option A, 或者 (huòzhě), option B.

[00:03:31]But notice there is no question mark here.

[00:03:34]Instead, 或者 (huòzhě) is very frequently paired with the phrase 都可以 (dōu kěyǐ), which means both are fine or either is okay.

[00:03:42]When you use 或者 (huòzhě), you are creating a very relaxed, non-demanding tone.

[00:03:47]You are just listing possibilities.

[00:03:50]Let's look at how we use this for statements and suggestions.

[00:03:54]It implies either A or B is okay, with absolutely zero pressure to make a choice immediately.

[00:04:01]Example one.

[00:04:02]周末我想去看电影或者听音乐会 (Zhōumò wǒ xiǎng qù kàn diànyǐng huòzhě tīng yīnyuèhuì).

[00:04:07]This weekend, I want to go watch a movie or listen to a concert.

[00:04:11]I'm just thinking out loud about my options.

[00:04:13]Example two.

[00:04:15]给我打电话或者发电子邮件都可以 (Gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà huòzhě fā diànzǐ yóujiàn dōu kěyǐ).

[00:04:19]Calling me or sending an email are both fine.

[00:04:22]I'm giving you options, you choose what's easiest for you.

[00:04:26]Let's compare a coffee shop dialogue using 或者 (huòzhě), contrasting it with the one we saw earlier.

[00:04:32]Speaker one says: 茶或者咖啡都可以 (Chá huòzhě kāfēi dōu kěyǐ).

[00:04:37]Tea or coffee are both okay.

[00:04:39]Maybe a host is telling a guest what is available in the pantry.

[00:04:43]Speaker two replies: 好, 那我喝咖啡 (Hǎo, nà wǒ hē kāfēi).

[00:04:47]Good, then I'll have coffee.

[00:04:49]Contrast this with 还是 (háishì).

[00:04:51]Here, no one was forced to answer a question.

[00:04:53]Speaker one just made a simple, open statement of what was available.

[00:04:58]It's highly flexible.

[00:05:00]Let's wrap this up with a quick summary to lock it into your memory.

[00:05:03]Feel free to take a screenshot of this page for your study notes.

[00:05:07]Sentence type: 还是 (háishì) is for questions, 或者 (huòzhě) is for statements.

[00:05:12]Meaning: 还是 (háishì) means which one.

[00:05:15]或者 (huòzhě) means either one.

[00:05:18]Tone: 还是 (háishì) is specific and decisive.

[00:05:21]或者 (huòzhě) is open and flexible.

[00:05:24]Common pairings: You will often see the structure 是 A 还是 B? (shì A háishì B?)

[00:05:28]Is it A or is it B? Whereas 或者 (huòzhě) is often paired with A 或者 B 都可以 (A huòzhě B dōu kěyǐ).

[00:05:35]A or B are both fine.

[00:05:38]And that is the art of choosing in Mandarin.

[00:05:41]Practice making your own sentences using both words in the comments below, and I will check them for you.

[00:05:46]Don't forget to subscribe to Self-Study Mandarin, share this video, and I will see you in the next lesson. Zàijiàn.

[00:05:56]Do you want to go hiking or swimming this weekend?

[00:06:03]Do you want to go hiking or swimming this weekend?

[00:06:11]I want to go swimming because the weather is too hot.

[00:06:18]I want to go swimming because the weather is too hot.

[00:06:27]Should we take the subway or a taxi to get there?

[00:06:33]Should we take the subway or a taxi to get there?

[00:06:42]Let's take the subway. The traffic is bad right now.

[00:06:47]Let's take the subway. The traffic is bad right now.

[00:06:57]Is tomorrow's meeting in the morning or the afternoon?

[00:07:03]Is tomorrow's meeting in the morning or the afternoon?

[00:07:13]The manager said the meeting is at 2:30 PM.

[00:07:18]The manager said the meeting is at 2:30 PM.

[00:07:27]Do you want to drink green tea or black coffee?

[00:07:33]Do you want to drink green tea or black coffee?

[00:07:42]Give me green tea. I can't sleep if I drink coffee.

[00:07:48]Give me green tea. I can't sleep if I drink coffee.

[00:07:57]Should I buy this shirt in blue or black?

[00:08:03]Should I buy this shirt in blue or black?

[00:08:12]The black one looks better and is easier to wash.

[00:08:18]The black one looks better and is easier to wash.

[00:08:27]Do you plan to travel in autumn or winter?

[00:08:33]Do you plan to travel in autumn or winter?

[00:08:42]I've decided to go in autumn. The weather is more comfortable.

[00:08:48]I've decided to go in autumn. The weather is more comfortable.

[00:08:59]Will you solve this problem, or will I?

[00:09:05]Will you solve this problem, or will I?

[00:09:15]I'll solve it. I've handled it before.

[00:09:21]I'll solve it. I've handled it before.

[00:09:30]Will you be paying with cash or by credit card?

[00:09:37]Will you be paying with cash or by credit card?

[00:09:46]I'll use my credit card. Can I swipe it?

[00:09:52]I'll use my credit card. Can I swipe it?

[00:10:00]Do you like watching the news or sports programs?

[00:10:07]Do you like watching the news or sports programs?

[00:10:17]I like watching soccer match programs the most.

[00:10:23]I like watching soccer match programs the most.

[00:10:31]Is the person in the white coat a nurse or a doctor?

[00:10:38]Is the person in the white coat a nurse or a doctor?

[00:10:48]She is a nurse who just came to this hospital.

[00:10:53]She is a nurse who just came to this hospital.

[00:11:02]Are we having noodles or fried rice for lunch?

[00:11:08]Are we having noodles or fried rice for lunch?

[00:11:17]I'm fine with either. It depends on what you want to eat today.

[00:11:23]I'm fine with either. It depends on what you want to eat today.

[00:11:33]Does your friend work at a bank or at a school?

[00:11:39]Does your friend work at a bank or at a school?

[00:11:48]She is a teacher at an elementary school nearby.

[00:11:54]She is a teacher at an elementary school nearby.

[00:12:03]Should you bring a large suitcase or a small one?

[00:12:10]Should you bring a large suitcase or a small one?

[00:12:18]Bring the small one. We are only traveling for two days.

[00:12:25]Bring the small one. We are only traveling for two days.

[00:12:34]This weekend, are you resting or going to work overtime?

[00:12:40]This weekend, are you resting or going to work overtime?

[00:12:50]I have to go to the company to finish a new project.

[00:12:55]I have to go to the company to finish a new project.

[00:13:04]Was the person who came to see you yesterday a neighbor or a colleague?

[00:13:11]Was the person who came to see you yesterday a neighbor or a colleague?

[00:13:20]It was my neighbor. She came to borrow a book.

[00:13:26]It was my neighbor. She came to borrow a book.

[00:13:35]This weekend, we can go hiking or watch a movie.

[00:13:42]This weekend, we can go hiking or watch a movie.

[00:13:51]Let's go hiking. I haven't exercised enough lately.

[00:13:57]Let's go hiking. I haven't exercised enough lately.

[00:14:07]We can meet on Saturday or Sunday.

[00:14:14]We can meet on Saturday or Sunday.

[00:14:23]Then let's meet at the coffee shop on Sunday afternoon.

[00:14:29]Then let's meet at the coffee shop on Sunday afternoon.

[00:14:38]For a birthday gift, you can give fresh flowers or chocolate.

[00:14:46]For a birthday gift, you can give fresh flowers or chocolate.

[00:14:56]Let's give flowers. She really likes pretty flowers.

[00:15:02]Let's give flowers. She really likes pretty flowers.

[00:15:12]For words you don't understand, you can look them up in a dictionary or ask me.

[00:15:18]For words you don't understand, you can look them up in a dictionary or ask me.

[00:15:28]Okay, if I don't understand, I'll ask you.

[00:15:33]Okay, if I don't understand, I'll ask you.

[00:15:43]For dinner, we can have dumplings or cook fish.

[00:15:50]For dinner, we can have dumplings or cook fish.

[00:15:59]I'm very tired today. It's quicker to eat dumplings.

[00:16:06]I'm very tired today. It's quicker to eat dumplings.

[00:16:15]You have a cold. You should take medicine or go to the hospital.

[00:16:22]You have a cold. You should take medicine or go to the hospital.

[00:16:32]I just took some medicine. I want to sleep for a while now.

[00:16:38]I just took some medicine. I want to sleep for a while now.

[00:16:46]We can ride a bike or take the bus.

[00:16:53]We can ride a bike or take the bus.

[00:17:03]It's very windy today. Let's take the bus.

[00:17:09]It's very windy today. Let's take the bus.

[00:17:18]Next month, I plan to go to Beijing or Shanghai.

[00:17:25]Next month, I plan to go to Beijing or Shanghai.

[00:17:34]Go to Beijing. Beijing is most beautiful in autumn.

[00:17:40]Go to Beijing. Beijing is most beautiful in autumn.

[00:17:50]In the afternoon, let's go to the park or play basketball.

[00:17:57]In the afternoon, let's go to the park or play basketball.

[00:18:07]Let's play basketball. The weather is really nice today.

[00:18:13]Let's play basketball. The weather is really nice today.

[00:18:22]We can buy tickets online or go to the train station to buy them.

[00:18:29]We can buy tickets online or go to the train station to buy them.

[00:18:38]Let's buy them online. That's more convenient and faster.

[00:18:44]Let's buy them online. That's more convenient and faster.

[00:18:54]For breakfast, I usually drink milk or eat an apple.

[00:19:01]For breakfast, I usually drink milk or eat an apple.

[00:19:10]Eating like that is very healthy. I should try it too.

[00:19:17]Eating like that is very healthy. I should try it too.

[00:19:26]After work, you can read a book or listen to music.

[00:19:33]After work, you can read a book or listen to music.

[00:19:42]I prefer listening to music, it helps me relax.

[00:19:48]I prefer listening to music, it helps me relax.

[00:19:58]You can wear a dress or that new pair of pants.

[00:20:05]You can wear a dress or that new pair of pants.

[00:20:14]I think wearing a dress is more suitable for the party.

[00:20:21]I think wearing a dress is more suitable for the party.

[00:20:31]If you have any questions, you can call or send an email.

[00:20:37]If you have any questions, you can call or send an email.

[00:20:46]Okay, I'll keep in touch with you.

[00:20:52]Okay, I'll keep in touch with you.

[00:21:01]Tonight, I want to read a book at home or watch a movie.

[00:21:07]Tonight, I want to read a book at home or watch a movie.

[00:21:16]Let's watch a movie together. I bought some snacks.

[00:21:20]Let's watch a movie together. I bought some snacks.